Editorials
[13 Days Of Horror] Day 9: 12 Upcoming Zombie Games To Be Excited About, Part 1
Zombies are on their way out. We’ve all heard someone predict the nearing end of the popular genre at some point. Whether it’s been to our face, or whispered in dark alleys, for some reason, people think zombies are going somewhere. What we know that they don’t, is the zombie genre is only getting bigger. Never before have the undead permeated every facet of entertainment so thoroughly, from books, to films, video games, and even Detroit. There’s a lot going on right now when it comes the hungry undead and their seemingly bottomless appetite for all things human, but we’re here to touch on the video games. Read on for the definitive list of the twelve most exciting upcoming zombie games.
Also, before anyone gets up in arms about why one game is ranked higher than another, just know that none of these are in any particular order.
12. Project Zomboid
Now, technically, this Project Zomboid is already out. You can buy it right now, or you could wait for its upcoming release on Steam, where the game was recently approved for distribution, thanks to Steam Greenlight and the numerous gamers who voted for it. What sets this game apart from the sea of other zombie games is its ambition. Indie developer The Indie Stone has some lofty goals for this game, which already sounds pretty great as is. For the unfamiliar, it’s a zombie sandbox game where you’re tasked with the simple goal of surviving as long as you can. You’ll soon realize this is more difficult than it sounds once you see the incredibly intimidating swarms of zombies that are thrown at you.
The Indie Stone also has plans to add co-op (it’s currently single-player only), multiple side stories, a larger world, new systems (food, weather, etc.), and Steam Workshop support, so players can have easier access to mods.
11. Day Z
Day Z started life as a mod for Arma II, before quickly gaining enough momentum and player support to motivate Arma developer Bohemia Interactive to create a standalone game. Now, beware, because even if you fancy yourself a fan of the genre, you should know what you’re getting into before diving into this unforgiving game. Day Z is hardcore. It was created with the idea of realistically creating a post-apocalyptic zombie scenario, where even the slightest mistake can get you killed, forcing you to start over. There’s also the little issue of the other players, because you never know if that guy in the distance is friendly, or if he’s looking for another noob to shoot in the back so he can loot their corpse.
With that said, I cannot wait for this game. Thankfully, it’s been confirmed to be releasing sometime this year.
10. The War Z
It’s easy to get The War Z and Day Z mixed up, since they’re both open-world zombie games with an emphasis on player interaction, survival, and scarce resources. This one’s in a sort of beta period, where you can purchase the current version and enjoy the free updates — much like Minecraft’s approach to game development. Even though it’s technically available, this is the type of game that’s going to see a lot of change over the coming months as new content is added, mechanics are tweaked, and feedback comes in. It could look and play like a completely different game — just look at the early version of Minecraft and what it is today.
If you need help getting excited about this one, it brings with it a massive world that’s 400 square kilometers in size, and soon that will only get bigger. As an added bonus, as new worlds are added, you’ll be able to seamlessly move your character from each world to the next without losing your progress.
9. State of Decay
Originally known by the moniker Class3, State of Decay is another open-world zombie game that’s unique because it’s also coming to the Xbox 360. The previously mentioned zombie sandbox games are all (currently) PC exclusive. Much like the other games, this one has a focus on survival. This means you’ll need to find and develop relationships with other survivors, search for food, water, and medical supplies, and fortify your safe house. State of Decay also has a dynamically generating world that watches what you do and how you perform — sounds creepy, right? — so it can adjust the difficulty. This means the way you play and the choices you make will affect the game in real time.
What makes this game even more exciting is it’s basically a way for developer Undead Labs to get valuable information that will affect their next and more ambitious project, currently known as Class4.
8. ZombiU
It’s strange, but I think more people are looking forward to ZombiU than the console its launching on. Wii U identity issues aside, this looks like a fantastically creepy game. The way the Wii U’s gamepad is used is brilliant, because it transforms things we often take for granted, like say, searching through the items in your inventory, and transforms it into a genuinely intense experience. If you need to look through your survival pack, you’re going to have to look away from the screen to focus on the gamepad’s touchscreen. The same goes for other actions, like picking locks. ZombiU has a lot of potential, and it’s doing some exciting things with its competitive multiplayer, too.
7. Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z
This one caught me completely off guard when it was unveiled last month. A game that has zombies already has my full attention, but when you add ninjas to the mix, you’re practically guaranteed to have an amazing, and ridiculously gory game. This might end up being the breath of fresh air the Ninja Gaiden series desperately needs after the most recent installment’s lukewarm reception. But all that doesn’t matter, because it’s a zombie game with ninjas. Let me say that again: a zombie game with ninjas.
Yeah.
Be sure to come back tomorrow when I conclude this epic list with the final six zombie games you should be crazy excited for.
Missed a day? Check out the rest of the 13 Days of Horror:
Day 1: The 12 Best Weapons In Horror Games, Part 1
Day 2: The 12 Best Weapons In Horror Games, Part 2
Day 3: Our Premature Evaluation Of Black Ops II Zombies
Day 4: Why 2012 Has Been The Best (And Worst) Year For Horror
Day 5: 12 Horror Games To Look Forward To Next Year, Part 1
Day 6: 12 Horror Games To Look Forward To Next Year, Part 2
Day 7: Eight Games You Should Play This Halloween
Day 8: Dear Capcom, This Is What I Want In Resident Evil 7
Day 10: 12 Upcoming Zombie Games To Be Excited About, Part 2
Day 11: Why We Love Zombie Games
Day 11: Why We Love Zombie Games
Day 12: Comment To Win A Copy Of Resident Evil 6 And Other Awesome Swag
Day 13: Don’t Be Scared, It’s Just A Dead Pixels Halloween Podcast
Feel free to ever-so-gently toss Adam an email, or follow him on Twitter and Bloody Disgusting
New month, new horror recommendations from Deep Cuts Rising. This installment features one random pick as well as four selections reflecting the month of May 2024.
Regardless of how they came to be here, or what they’re about, these past movies can generally be considered overlooked, forgotten or unknown.
This month’s offerings include a self-loathing serial killer, a violinist’s murderous ghost, and a postmodern vamp flick.
Scream, Pretty Peggy (1973)
Pictured: Ted Bessell and Sian Barbara Allen in Scream, Pretty Peggy.
Directed by Gordon Hessler.
The TV-movie Scream, Pretty Peggy first aired as part of ABC Movie of the Week. Bette Davis plays the mother of a reclusive sculptor (Ted Bessell), and after the previous housekeeper goes missing, a local college student (Sian Barbara Allen) fills the position. Little does she know, though, the young employee’s predecessor was murdered — and the killer is still on the loose.
Admittedly, Scream, Pretty Peggy isn’t difficult to figure out; its inspiration is obvious. However, Bette Davis’ overstated performance and the son character’s macabre artwork are enough to stay tuned and learn who’s behind the killings.
Scream, Pretty Peggy is now available on physical media from Kino Lorber. Perhaps watch the movie with your own mother this Mother’s Day (May 12).
Paganini Horror (1989)
Pictured: The ghostly killer in Paganini Horror.
Directed by Luigi Cozzi.
For National Buy a Musical Instrument Day (May 22), check out this absurd Italian entry in the subgenre of cursed music horror. A rock band unleashes hell when they unknowingly use a satanic piece of music composed by Niccolò Paganini, the violinist who was rumored to have made a Faustian deal.
Even though Paganini Horror is hardly deemed a standout of Italian Horror, and the movie indeed drags itself toward the finish line, there are some bright spots worth focusing on. For instance: Donald Pleasence. If that’s not enough, the very ’80s aesthetic helps gloss over the flaws in Daria Nicolodi‘s uneven script.
Paganini Horror is now on physical media from Severin Films and is also streaming on SCREAMBOX.
Nadja (1994)
Pictured: Suzy Amis Cameron and Karl Geary in Nadja.
Directed by Michael Almereyda.
These vampires may or may not cast a reflection, but they sure do love to reflect. David Lynch executive-produced as well as briefly appeared in the film, which Roger Ebert succinctly described as “Deadpan Noir” in his review. This tale of revenge and philosophical pondering begins with the vampiric namesake (Suzy Amis Cameron) seducing the daughter (Galaxy Craze) of Van Helsing after he killed Nadja’s father, Dracula. From there a war erupts between the two sides, all while taking place in modern NYC.
Nadja is quite slow but also just strange, stylish and creative enough to keep your attention. In addition, the trip hop soundtrack is easy on the ears, and Peter Fonda plays a memorable Van Helsing. Overall, this is a unique and artsy approach to vampire horror.
Nadja is now streaming on Freevee.
The Bone Snatcher (2003)
Pictured: Scott Bairstow, Warrick Grier and Rachel Shelley in ‘The Bone Snatcher’.
Directed by Jason Wulfsohn.
For National Sunscreen Day (May 27), dig up the monster movie The Bone Snatcher. It will take more than a high SPF to protect the sunburned characters here; they are stuck in a South African desert with a bizarre monster called the Esikhulu.
The best things about The Bone Snatcher are its setting and the creature. This beast, which is brought to life on screen using a combination of practical and digital effects, sports a ghastly design to go with its unnerving ability to animate skeletons. Something else this movie has going for it is a refusal to show the monster too often; that way there is less chance of becoming desensitized to the Esikhulu. Ultimately, this has nothing on John Carpenter’s The Thing, however, those more forgiving fans of Syfy-ish creature-features should be satisfied.
The Bone Snatcher is currently streaming on Tubi.
#1 Serial Killer (2013)
Pictured: Jason Tobin in #1 Serial Killer.
Directed by Stanley Yung.
May is AAPIM, and the subversive #1 Serial Killer (originally titled Chink) is relevant when discussing the “Invisible Asian” notion. Acknowledging the irony, Stanley Yung’s movie has gone widely unnoticed despite its potent take on race and identity.
Jason Tobin (Warrior) delivers a compelling performance as the vile protagonist here. The self-hating, Ted Bundy-admiring character discriminates against other Asians after years of mistreatment and disregard, and that growing rage finally manifests as cathartic violence.
#1 Serial Killer is currently available at digital retailers like Apple.
No genre is as prolific as horror, so it’s understandable that movies fall through the cracks all the time. That is where this recurring column, Deep Cuts Rising, comes in. Each installment of this series will spotlight several unsung or obscure movies from the past — some from way back when, and others from not so long ago — that could use more attention.
‘Infested’ Review – One of the Best Spiders Attack Horror Movies in Years
‘The King Tide’: An Island Town Rots with Moral Decay in Canadian Folk Horror Fable [Review]
Limited Edition Morticia & Wednesday Addams ‘Monster High’ Dolls Releasing Next Week!
TWO New ‘Evil Dead’ Movies Now in the Works; Sébastien Vaniček & Francis Galluppi Directing
“AHS: Delicate” Review – ‘The Auteur’ Gives Birth to a Lackluster, Laughable Finale
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